Insert sheet for file folders having a paper fastening device thereon



Sept. 9, 1969 w. LENNARTZ 3,466,133

INSERT SHEET FOR FILE FOLDERS HAVING A PAPER FASTENING DEVICE 'I'HEREONFiled March 30. 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

ATMEMK! Sept. 9, 1969 LENNARTZ 3,466,133

INSERT SHEET FOR FILE FOLDERS HAVING A PAPERFASTENING DEVICE THEREONFiled March 30. 1967 v3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVEN TOR. W41 TIE [54 4/4677Amen 5V9 United States Patent Int. Cl. B42f 13/66, 13/08, 13/10 US. Cl.402-14 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An insert sheet for filefolders, said sheet having a paper retaining device. The insert sheet isfolded, forming a base portion and a relatively narrow strip which maybe superimposed above said base portion. The base portion may beapproximately the size of the cover of the file folder and may beprovided with a pair of holes by which said insert sheet may be mountedin a file folder. A pair of holes are provided in said narrow stripthrough which a second paper retaining device may extend therebyproviding a means to secure papers tothe insert sheet. During longperiods of storage, the insert sheet with said papers still attached,may be removed from said file folder, thus releasing said file folderfor a second use. The insert sheet and papers may be stored in anappropriate location. An alternate structure provides a cover portionfor further protection of the papers during storage.

This invention relates to an insert sheet for file folders having apaper-fastening device particularly adapted for folders with a receivingdevice.

The known file folders made of cardboard or of plastic are relativelymore expensive to manufacture than, for example, ordinary file foldersand hanging folders so that the price of said folders does not allowsame to be stored in closed files together with the filed papers afterthe subject matter is closed.

The basic purpose of the invention is to produce an insert sheet forfile folders, for example, the type having a fastening device, whichallows removal of the insert sheets after work has been completed andwhich at the same time permits filing of the stack of papers with therespective identification in a closed file container.

To attain said purpose, the invention provides an insert sheet which hasa bending line extending approximately parallel to the back of the filefolder and has receiving holes arranged on both sides of said bendingline respectively whereby the holes on one side are used to receive aknown paper fastening device.

Such a measure makes it possible to file the insert sheet in the fileholder and to retain the punched papers in the insert sheet by means ofthe fastening device. If desired, an official filing system or abusiness filing system can take place without changing the insert sheet.

For such filing, it is particularly advantageous if an identificationarea is provided on at least one side of the insert sheet, said areabeing arranged approximately in the center of the sheet.

However, it is also possible to provide for a selective type of filingif the front and rear portions of the insert sheet are each providedwith holes through which a paper fastening device may be mounted.

A particularly advantageous embodiment of the insert sheet can beobtained if said insert sheet is further mod- 3,466,133 Patented Sept.9, 1969 ified to form a closeable file insert. The bending line heresubdivides the insert sheet into a narrow front folded strip whichcarries the paper fastening device and into a rear base sheet. Thelengthwise side of said base sheet which does not face the fasteningdevice is interconnected to a cover sheet by a resilient portion, saidcover sheet having holes in the area of its opened lengthwise edge. Saidholes are aligned with the holes adjacent the bending line in the foldedstrip.

Such a closeable file insert is, in spite of its advantages in use, sosimple in structure and manufacture that the cost is low enough topermit the closed file insert to be stored in a closed file togetherwith the papers filed therein after the subject matter is closed. Thepapers are substantially protected from dust and dirt because saidclosed file insert can completely enclose the papers by securing saidcover sheet in place using the receiving strip of the folder.

Such a closeable file insert can be stored advantageously in a knownfile folder having a paper-receiving device while which the subjectmatter is being worked on by providing receiving holes in the base sheetunderneath the folded strip of the closeable file insert. The coversheet rests on the base sheet when said closeable file insert is in thefile folder. The paper fastening device of the file folder can then beguided through the holes of both the closeable file insert and the coversheet. The paper to be filed in the file folder consequently rests onthe cover sheet While the subject matter is being worked on.

However, it is also possible to place the file folder insert in a pocketof a file folder during the time that the subject matter is being workedon by placing the cover sheet on the base sheet so that both sheets canbe moved together into the pocket. However, the folded strip togetherwith the fastening device remain outside of the pocket.

To increase the possibilities of the use of the folder, the base sheetcan, according to the invention, be provided with a flap on eachtransverse edge. This makes it also possible to store loose papers inthe file folder such that said papers are prevented from falling out.

To obtain an especially large holding capacity, the folded strip can beresiliently hinged to the base sheet, for example, by a grooved bend.

The holes in the file folder insert which are provided for securing samein a file folder having a paper-fastening device can be prevented fromtearing in a simple manner, namely, by making the area around the holesin the folded strip and, if desired, the area around the holes in thebase sheet of two layers. This can be done in a simple structural mannerby providing the folded strip with an extension at its lengthwise edge.

The file folder can be very simply stored in a closed file after thesubject matter therein has been closed by providing a hanging registrywhereby the holding bar, which cooperates with the fastening device in aknown manner, has an enlargement with a recess which forms a supporthook for suspension on a support rail.

It may be desirable that the file folder inserts have a coloridentification while the subject matter is being worked on in order toidentify groupwise the contents of the file folder insert from theoutside. The invention provides a simple solution which does notincrease the cost of manufacture of said insert. This is achieved bymaking the file folder of a neutral color, for example, of white or graypaper or cardboard, while a colored holding bar is received by the stripas part of the clasp.

This permits use of a file folder insert of a single construction,however, still providing an identification through colors in a simplemanner. The colored holding bar is always positioned on top during workon the subject matter and is also on top after the file folder has beenstored in a closed file.

The insert sheet can be made of cardboard. A still less expensivemanufacture is achieved if the insert sheet is made of paper which isfolded to have at least two layers in the area of the receiving holes oris reinforced by a strip of cardboard in said area.

The embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawingswherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an opened folder having an insertsheet spaced thereabove.

FIGURE 2 illustrates the same folder with the insert sheet arrangedtherein, said insert sheet being ready to receive the punched papers.

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a stack of papers after being removedfrom the folder and covered by the insert sheet.

FIGURE 4 is a further perspective view of a folder having an alternateinsert sheet spaced above said folder.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective View of the insert sheet constructed as acloseable file insert.

FIGURE 6 is a top view of the closeable file insert with folded strips.

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of the closeable file insert togetherwith a paper container having a receiving strip.

FIGURE 8 illustrates the closeable file insert with the receiving striparranged in the paper container.

FIGURE 9 illustrates the closed file insert having papers arrangedtherein ready to be stored in a closed file.

The file folder illustrated in FIGURE 1, which receives the insertsheet, comprises in a known manner a rear cover 1 and a front cover 2connected to said rear cover. A paper fastening device or receivingstrip 4 is secured to the folded strip 3 of the front cover 2. The endportions or prongs of said receiving strip 4 are illustrated in areceiving position extending substantially perpendicularly to the fileholder.

The insert sheet 5 is shown above the file folder, said sheet beingready to be filed. The insert sheet 5 is divided into two portions 7 and8 by bending along the fold line 6 which extends parallel to the back 24of the folder. The portion 8 has two receiving holes 9 adjacent the foldline 6. Said portion 8, used as a base sheet, corresponds in sizeapproximately to the rear cover 1 of the file folder. Said base sheet 8can be provided with an identification area 10 at least on its visibleside, said area being arranged in the center of the sheet. The portion 7is constructed as a strip which can be folded about the fold line 6 andhas two receiving holes 11 adjacent said line 6. Said fold holes areused to secure a receiving strip 12 which is guided through the holes 11such that the end portions or prongs of the strip 12 are on the bottomside of portion 7 as illustrated in FIGURE 1.

Said receiving strip 4 of the file folder is inserted through holes 9 ofsheet 5. The printed material used to identify the contents can then beprovided in area 10. The strip 7 of the insert sheet 5 is then folded180 degrees about the fold line 6. The insert sheet 5 of FIGURE 2 isshown in said position with the end portions of the receiving strip 12being bent upwardly. After the holding bar 13 is removed the punchedpapers which are to be filed can be inserted as desired.

If the subject matter is closed, the insert sheet 5 together with thepile of papers attached thereto is removed from the receiving strip 4 ofthe folder and is taken out of same. The base sheet 8 is then bent 360degrees about the fold line 6 so that, as illustrated in FIG- URE 3,said base sheet covers the front of the stack of papers 14 and at thesame time the receiving strip .12. The

printing area 10 is then visible from the outside and can be read in theright position on the front of the base sheet 8. The complete subjectmatter can then be filed away together with the insert sheet 5 withoutrequiring any additional work. The file folder is immediately ready toreceive a new set of papers relating to a new subject.

In the embodiment of FIGURE 4 basically the same insert sheet 5 is used.The difference from FIGURE 1 is that a paper fastening device orreceiving strip 12 is secured in the holes 9 of the base sheet 8 whilethe receiving holes 11 of the folded strip 7 are free.

Filing of the insert sheet 5 in the folder takes place in this case suchthat said holes 11 receive the ends of the clasp 4. The base sheet 8,after the identification area 10 has been labeled, is folded degreesabout the fold line 6 so that the base portion 8 of the insert sheetrests on the rear cover 1 of the folder. The ends of the receiving strip12 can be bent upwardly extending away from the folder so that thepunched papers of the respective subject matter can be filed by means ofthe receiving strip 12' of the insert sheet 5. In this case, filing isdone in a business manner which means that the papers of the latest dateare filed on top of the pile.

However, by using the same insert sheet 5 and without changing same anoflicial filing system can be used in which case the oldest paper is ontop of the file. The insert sheet 5 is for this purpose turned 180degrees in the plane of the insert sheet from its position of FIG- URE 4and is then again received by the ends of the clasp 4 of the folder bymeans of the holes 11. The base portion 8 of the insert sheet 5, beingabove the rear cover 1, is folded 180 degrees about the fold line 6 sothat the base sheet 8 rests on the front cover 2 of the folder. Thereceiving strip 12' with its ends can in said position be reached fromabove so that the punched papers can be received by the strip 12 in anoflicial filing manner. The identification area 10 can be used for bothtypes of filing if said area is arranged symmetrically about the centerlines of the insert sheet 5.

The insert sheet 5 having one paper-fastening device can be used for alltypes of folders or paper containers and also for letter files. This isalso especially true for hanging files. It is especially advantageous inthis case if the area of the holes 9 and 11 of the base sheet 8 isreinforced in the above-described manner.

In any case it is now possible in a simple and economical manner to usefiles of relatively high cost of production, particularly files made ofplastic, and still possible in a simple and economical manner Withoutany gtliditional work to store filed stacks of paper in a closed FIGURES5 through 9 illustrate the manner in which said insert sheet can bemodified to form a closeable file insert.

The closeable file insert comprises a base sheet 8 and a cover sheet 25being interconnected by a resilient portion 27 at the right lengthwiseedge of the base sheet, said portion being provided with bendinggrooves. Flaps 30 and 31 are hinged to the transverse edges 28 and 29 ofthe base sheet 8, said flaps preventing the loose papers lying on thebase sheet 8 from sliding out of the folder.

The folded strip 7 is again arranged along the lengthwise edge of thebase sheet 8. The folded strip and the base sheet 8 are interconnectedby a bend along fold line 6, said bend being provided by bending grooves33. The folded strip 7 is constructed of double thickness, as is thatportion of the base sheet 8 adapted to be positioned underneath saidstrip 7 when same is folded over on top of the base sheet 8. Said strip7 is provided for this purpose with an integral extension extension 34which is folded so as to form a double thickness such that one half ofsaid extension forms the second layer 34' of the folded strip 7 and theother half of the extension 34 forms a second layer 34" overlapping aportion of the base sheet 8. Two holes 11 are provided in the foldedstrip 7 and in the second layer 34'. A receiving strip 16 is guidedthrough one of the holes 11 and has one end 16' thereof bent so as to beadjacent the front side of the strip 7 and the other end 16" thereofbent so as to be adjacent the backside of the folded strip 7. A similarreceiving strip is mounted in the same manner in the other hole 11. Aholding bar 13 is provided adjacent the front side of the folded strip 7and a holding bar 17 is provided adjacent the backside of said foldedstrip, said holding bars having openings therein aligned with theopenings 11 and being held in place by the strips 15 and 16. Thus, thereceiving strips 15 and 16 are fixedly connected to the fold strip. Theofficial filing can thus take place without any change of the file.However, it is also possible to divide the respective subject matter andto file one part in the business manner and the other part in theofficial manner.

The folded strip 7 illustrated in FIGURE 6 is bent or opened outwardlyso as to be within the plane of the base sheet 8 to obtain a betterview. It can thereby be seen that two holes 18 are punched into the basesheet 8 and into the second layer 34 adjacent the back 32. Moreover, thecover sheet 25 is also provided with two holes close to the freelengthwise edge 19, said holes being in alignment with the holes 18 ofthe base sheet 8 when the cover sheet is placed on the base sheet 8(FIGURE 6). The holes 20 of the cover sheet 25 when in position also arein alignment with the holes 11 of the folded strip 7. It is thuspossible to guide the prongs or receiving strips 15 and 16 into theholes 20 and to connect the cover sheet 25 to the outwardly bent foldedstrip 7 by means of the holding bar 13 and the receiving strips 15 and16.

The cover sheet 25 has an identification area 21 on its outer side, saidarea being provided with respective labeling for identification of thesubject matter.

The folder can be made of one single piece of paper or relatively thincardboard whereby the blank need only be folded once. If the flaps and31 are not needed, the folder can be manufactured simply from a roll ofpaper or cardboard.

FIGURES 7 and 8 illustrate the closeable file insert of paper or lightcardboard being stored in a file folder of plastic or other lasting, butmore expensive, material. The plastic file folder 22 has a receivingstrip 4, the ends of which are illustrated in upright position in FIGURE7. The end portions of the receiving strip 4 are guided into the holes18 of the base sheet 8 and holes 20 of the cover sheet 25 after thefolded strip 7 is bent outwardly to the position of FIGURE 7. A holdingbar (not illustrated) is then received in the usual manner by the endportions of the strip 4. The ends of said receiving strip 4 are bent sothat the closed file folder is now secured in a plastic folder 22. Afterthis the folded strip 7 is bent back to its normal position asillustrated in FIGURES 5 and 8. The punched papers can now be receivedby the strips 15 and 16 and retained by means of the holding bar 13.

As soon as the work on the subject matter is completed, the new filefolder is taken from the end portions of the receiving strip 4 of theplastic folder 22. The cover sheet 25 is pulled out from beneath thefiled stack of papers (FIGURE 9) and wrapped around the stack of papers36. The end portions of the receiving strips 15 and 16 are then guidedthrough the holes 20 of the cover sheet 25 which is retained against thefiled papers 36 by means of the holding bar 13 and the strips 15 and 16.The file folder is thus closed, having the material filed therein. Afile insert filled in this manner can then without any additional workbe placed in the closed file. The labeling in the identification area 21shows the content of the file.

If the papers are not filed in the business manner but in the officialmanner, the folded strip 7 is not provided underneath the papers butabove same whereby the resilient portion 32 provided with bendinggrooves 33 guarantees a sufiicient holding capacity. The cover sheet 25in this case also forms the top sheet which then rests on the foldedstrip 7.

The holding bar 13 can, in any case, be made of plastic of a certaincolor so that the filed subject matter can be identified with respect toa certain class by only a glance.

The holding bar 13 can be provided with an enlargement on one lengthwiseside, said enlargement having a recess being opened at the edge andbeing overlapped by at least one support hook (not shown). While thefile is for example arranged in the container 22, said holding bar canbe arranged so that the enlargement is directed along the filed paper.However, if the file is removed from the container 22 to be storedtogether with the stack of paper 36 in a closed file, the holding barcan then be placed the other way around on the cover sheet 25 and can befastened by the receiving strips 15 and 16 so that the enlargementextends over the lengthwise edge of the file folder. Said holding barcan be suspended on a support rail by means of the support book if theclosed file has a hanging registry.

Finally, it must be emphasized that the closed file can also be storedin another type of file folder which has no receiving strip orcorresponding receiving pins. On the contrary, it is sufficient, if, forexample, a pocket is arranged on the inner side of the base sheet of afile folder, the insert opening of said pocket extending along the backof the file folder. The closed file can be inserted into said pockettogether with the base sheet and the cover sheet, while the folded strip7 is provided outside of said pocket so that the punched papers arefiled on the folded strip 7 by means of the receiving strips 15 and 16.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. Apparatus for receiving documents for ready reference and for storagecomprising:

a file folder having front and back covers connected by a flexible hingeportion;

means defining a first pair of holes in said file folder spaced alongand adjacent said flexible hinge portion;

an insert for said file folder comprising a base sheet and a fold stripintegrally and hingeably connected to said base sheet adjacent onelongitudinal edge thereof, said fold strip and said base sheetrespectively having a second pair of holes and a third pair of holestherein spaced along and adjacent said one longitudinal edge;

first fastening means for releaseably securing said insert to and withinsaid file folder, said first fastening means comprising a joined, spacedpair of prongs, said prongs of said first fastening means extendingthrough said first pair of holes in said file folder and said third pairof holes in said base sheet of said insert and not through holes in saidfold. strip for releaseably securing said base wall of said insert tosaid file folder at said first pair of holes;

second fastening means independent of said first fastening means forreleaseably securing documents to said insert independently of thereleaseably securement of said insert to said file folder, said secondfastening means comprising a joined, spaced pair of prongs, said prongsof said second fastening means extending through said second pair ofholes in said fold part for releaseably securing documents to said foldpart of said insert;

said insert being removable with said documents, as a unit, from saidfile folder by release of said first fastening means from said thirdpair of holes and without disengaging said documents from said secondfastening means of said insert;

said insert further including a cover sheet integrally connected by aflexible portion along the other longitudinal edge of said base sheetand means defining a fourth pair of holes disposed in said cover sheetadjacent the free edge thereof opposite said other longitudinal edge,said fourth pair of holes being substantially aligned with said thirdpair of holes when said cover sheet overlies said base sheet, said coversheet being positionable over said documents, said prongs of said secondfastening means being additionally receivable through said fourth pairof holes for securing said free edge of said cover sheet to saiddocuments and said fold part, whereby said documents may be enclosedbetween said base sheet and cover sheet and within said insert forprotection of said documents by said insert during storage outside saidfile folder.

2. The device defined in claim 1 wherein said means defining said firstpair of holes comprises an inside portion extending from said flexiblehinge means into said file folder between said front and back coversthereof, said first pair of holes extending through said inside portion,said fold portion and said base sheet of said insert being receivedbetween said inside portion and one of said covers of said file folder,said base sheet being releaseably secured by said first fastening meansto said inside portion References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Templeton129-25 X Crowson 129-25 Kiso 129-25 X Wolf 129-25 Cather 129-25 McClure129-25 Proskauer 281-29 Shont 129-1 Karlen' 129-25 Kearney 129-25 Taylor129-1 FOREIGN PATENTS of said file folder for securing said insert tosaid file folder. 20 JEROME SCHNADL, Primary Examiner

